Inspection report: Headstart, 8–10 October 20138-10 October 2013
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Physical education (PE) takes place in the school’s gym as well as at the local leisure centre and swimming pool. It is supplemented by the regular tasks involved with feeding and caring for the sheep, pigs and poultry, which pupils enjoy. The provision has a good impact on improving individuals’ health and fitness. Regular outings, such as to museums and local places of interest, extend the pupils’ knowledge and interest in their locality and in the world at large. The regular use of cross-curricular links support learning well and make the pupils’ experience more meaningful. For example, during the inspection written and verbal literacy was consistently reinforced in all activities, and mathematics skills were developed during construction work. Older pupils have clear ideas about future college placements and receive valuable advice about the future through lessons, the review process and visits from advisers. Pupils’ welfare, health and safety
Good
Provision for pupils’ welfare, health and safety is good. It is characterised by a high level of commitment to pupils’ well-being and care, and all the regulations for independent schools are met. It is not outstanding because, although the behaviour management policies are clear and effectively implemented, with all incidents of difficult behaviour carefully recorded, procedures to analyse behaviour in order to find all possible ways to improve it overall and to reduce incidents of inappropriate behaviour are not yet fully developed. The school has recently purchased new software to simplify recording and analysis, but it is not yet fully operational. Effective strategies to counter bullying are in use, and the dangers associated with the use of the internet are effectively raised. The manner in which these policies and strategies are put into practice, together with effective and vigilant supervision, ensures that pupils are safe in school. Pupils experience the school as a supportive and caring environment, and confidently place their trust in their teachers and tutors. They say that they feel safe and secure in school. Parents and carers very much appreciate the efforts that the school makes to support pupils’ development. Staff recruitment is carried out in a thorough manner and the required single central register is correctly maintained. Effective arrangements are made to ensure the suitability of the alternative provision used by the school for the Key Stage 5 pupils. Staff training in child protection and first aid is thorough, and is regularly updated within the recommended timescales. This includes suitable training, at the appropriate higher level, for the designated safeguarding officer. Pupils’ safety is a high priority, with fire drills and health and safety checks rigorously implemented. Risk assessments, including those for visits outside school, are thorough. Arrangements for educational trips are well planned and clearly recorded. Admission and attendance registers are properly maintained. Pupils are very well supported to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This covers not only an awareness of the importance of eating and exercising well but also relationships education for older pupils. Leadership and management
Good
Leadership and management are good and all but one of the independent school regulations are met. They are not yet outstanding because outcomes are not outstanding. In addition, although extensive information is collected concerning pupils’ progress and behaviour, arrangements to analyse this information and to discern all possible opportunities to enable improvement are not yet fully developed. The headteacher is supported well by the proprietor, whose active involvement with the school is valued and appreciated. Conversations with staff and responses to the staff questionnaire indicate that the vision of high expectation and ambition for development and improvement of the students’ outcomes is thoroughly shared throughout the school community.